Corticosteroids Flashcards
What drug/ hormone is a mineralocorticoid?
Aldosterone
What drug/ hormone is a glucocorticoid?
Cortisol
What is aldosterone regulated by?
ATII and K+
What is cortisol regulated by?
ACTH
What are the 2 main effects of aldosterone?
↑ Na+ and H2O retention and ↑ K+ excretion
What does cortisol exert a negative feedback effect on?
CRH = ↓ ACTH
Is cortisol a short or long acting stress hormone?
Long acting (acts via nuclear receptors)
Does cortisol favor catabolic or anabolic processes?
Catabolic (favors energy release) (↑ circulating glucose, FFA, AA)
Cortisol antagonizes the effects of what hormone?
Insulin
How does cortisol play a role in fat redistribution?
Redistribution of fat centrally
What are the CV effects of cortisol (2)
↑ vascular responsiveness to sympathetic stimulation b/c inhibition of catecholamine re-uptake (more catecholamines in cleft = more effects), ↑ CO
Cortisol has endocrine effects by decreasing what hormones?
GH, TSH, LH
Cortisol has endocrine effects by increasing what hormone?
Epi
How does cortisol lead to bone destruction over time? (2)
Inhibits action of vit. D → ↓ Ca deposition ↑ PTH → ↑ Ca loss from bone
What are the effects of cortisol on the immune system?
Immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, suppression of wound healing (early and late stages)
What effects can cortisol have on the CNS, although there is individual variance? (5)
Mood elevation, insomnia/ restlessness, anxiety, depression, psychosis
What is the possible GI related SE of cortisol?
Peptic ulcer development
Is Cushing’s glucocorticoid excess or insufficiency?
Excess
What is the cause of Cushing’s disease?
Excess ACTH due to tumor in the pituitary gland
What is the cause of Cushing’s syndrome?
Excess cortisol due to anything else besides ACTH secreting pituitary tumor
What is the most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome?
Exogenous glucocorticoids (could also be a tumor)
What are the following sxs associated with?
Buffalo hump, thinning of skin, thin arms, moon face, increased abdominal fat, striae, easy bruising, poor wound healing
Cushing’s
What test is performed for the diagnosis of Cushing’s after a low dose dexamethasone suppression test?
High dose dexamethasone suppression test
For the high dose dexamethasone suppression test, you measure baseline cortisol levels in AM, administer dexamethasone in the PM, then measure levels again when?
The following morning (when it should be the highest due to circadian release)
On the high dose dexamethasone suppression test, extreme suppression of cortisol indicates what?
Normal
On the high dose dexamethasone suppression test, cortisol levels 50% suppressed indicate what?
Cushing’s disease
On the high dose dexamethasone suppression test, unchanged cortisol levels indicate what?
Cushing’s syndrome
Addison’s disease, adrenal malfunction, and pituitary malfunction lead to adrenocortical excess or insufficiency?
Insufficiency
What are the sxs of adrenocortical insufficiency? (4)
Hyperpigmentation, salt craving, anorexia, weight loss
Acute adrenal insufficiency is aka?
Addisonian crisis
Circulatory collapse, dehydration, vomiting, hyperkalemia, and the possibility of these sxs to be fatal is what condition?
Addisonian crisis